Late Night Talk withAubrey Masango

SA Medical Association Chairperson Dr Mzukisi Grootboom says that there is a global trend of healthcare workers being under attack from patients.

Dr Grootboom was responding to recent statements by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu that from January last year to date, at least 65 healthcare workers have been assaulted in the province while performing their duties.

On International Nurses Week, Dr Grootboom says that the SA Medical Association has been trying to make authorities aware of the problem of nurses and other healthcare workers being attacked by patients.

Listen to the interview below:

The problem of healthcare workers being attacked by patients becomes more acute in our country because we're such a violent nation

— Dr Mzukisi Grootboom, SA Medical Association Chairperson

It is a worrying occurrence because our healthcare workers are a very important backbone of the healthcare service

— Dr Mzukisi Grootboom, SA Medical Association Chairperson

We always try to make the authorities aware of this problem. We want to make communities aware of the problem that people work hard enough in taking care of the sick. It is important we treat each other with respect, and from the healthcare side, we should treat patients with respect